Quick Sale trade body boasts of few complaints after five years

The trade body representing so-called quick sale companies is marking five years in business with two feathers in its cap.

Firstly the National Association of Property Buyers says it’s delighted to be mentioned in the government’s new ‘How To Sell’ guide introduced last week; it makes reference to quick buy properties and advises sellers to use NAPB members.

"I am very proud of the fact that our members are now seen as a viable option for many homeowners looking for the certainty of a fast cash sale” says the body’s director, Jonathan Rolande.

Secondly, following the release of the latest annual report from The Property Ombudsman, Rolande says his sector has been the subject of only eight complaints over the past five years, with only one of them upheld.

“Whilst this is still one too many, considering the huge volume of sales our members commit to, it is a remarkably low number” he suggests.

The NAPB was formed in May 2014 in response to an investigation by the now-defunct Office of Fair Trading into the quick sale sector, following a number of high profile incidents where unscrupulous buyers had taken advantage of vulnerable sellers.

The NAPB worked with The Property Ombudsman to draw up a code of practice to give sellers redress; all members must abide by the code.

"Because all of the money we receive from members is spent on promoting higher standards, I hope that the next five years will see even more firms wanting to join us so that we can reach more homesellers, giving them the tools to make an informed decision about selling their home" says Rolande.

The NAPB will celebrate its milestone by making what it describes as “five small donations” to housing and financial education charities.